Abstract: Solid-state battery structures and methods of manufacturing solid-state batteries, such as thin-film batteries, are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments relate to solid-state batteries having a current collector tab between multiple electrochemical cells. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for acoustic fluid valve calibration are disclosed herein. An example method involves rotating a closure member of a valve to a involves rotating a closure member of a valve to a plurality of positions along a valve stroke, obtaining acoustic emission signals generated by a fluid passing through the valve using a sensor when the closure member is in the positions, and identifying, using a processor, a zero position of the closure member based on the acoustic emission signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing effects of friction on process control devices are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a housing; a processor disposed in the housing, the processor to: determine a first force or torque corresponding to friction of a process control device and an actuator operatively coupled to the process control device via a stem or shaft; in response to the first force or torque, determine a first command to operate the process control device via the stem or shaft to obtain a first response of the actuator; determine a second force or torque corresponding to friction of the process control device and the actuator; and in response to the second force or torque, determine a second command to operate the process control device via the stem or shaft to obtain a second response of the actuator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating useful life of a seal in a process control device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a processor to: determine a plurality of operational cycles of a stem or shaft of a process control device; determine a first value corresponding to a stress experienced by the seal for each of the operational cycles; and estimate a total amount of useful life of the seal consumed based on each of the first values; and a database to store data associated with the total amount of useful life of the seal consumed.

Abstract: A voice coil motor displacement sensor and a voice coil motor controller that uses said sensor. The sensor configured to apply an alternating measurement signal at a predetermined frequency to a voice coil motor, the sensor configured to use a measure of a voltage across and a current through the voice coil motor to determine its impedance at the predetermined frequency and determine an estimated displacement of said voice coil motor using said impedance and a predetermined displacement-impedance function.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing effects of friction on process control devices are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a value corresponding to friction of an actuator and a process control device to be operated by the actuator, and determining a value indicative of an effect of the friction on operation of the process control device via the actuator based on the value corresponding to the friction and a predetermined value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating useful life of a seal in a process control device are disclosed. An example method includes establishing a plurality of travel ranges of a stem or shaft of a process control device. Each travel range corresponds to different values corresponding to stresses experienced by the seal of the process control device during an operational cycle. The example further includes determining a count of operational cycles associated with each of the travel ranges and estimating a total amount of useful life of the seal consumed based on the counts.

Abstract: A pumping device is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a tire rim to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The pumping device includes a housing attached to the tire rim, a dynamic mass mechanically confined to radial movement relative to the housing and the tire rim, an intake port for ambient to enter the housing, and an exhaust port for forcing air into a tire cavity of the pneumatic tire for restoring air loss from an inflation volume within the tire cavity.

Abstract: A pumping device is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a tire rim to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The pumping device includes a housing attached to the tire rim, a dynamic mass mechanically confined to rotational movement relative to the housing and the tire rim, the dynamic mass moving in response to a minimum angular velocity of the tire rim and pumping ambient air into the housing, an intake port for ambient air to enter the housing, and an exhaust port for forcing pressurized air into a tire cavity of the pneumatic tire for restoring air loss from an inflation volume within the tire cavity.

Abstract: A pumping device is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a tire rim to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The pumping device includes a housing attached to the tire rim, a dynamic mass mechanically confined to linear movement relative to the housing and the tire rim, the dynamic mass moving in response to shock loads transferred from the tire rim to the dynamic mass and pumping ambient air into the housing, an intake port for ambient air to enter the housing, and an exhaust port for forcing pressurized air into a tire cavity of the pneumatic tire for restoring air loss from an inflation volume within the tire cavity.

Abstract: A mechanism is described for facilitating dynamic and targeted advertisements for computing systems according to one embodiment. A method of embodiments, as described herein, includes transmitting an indication that one or more advertisements are being played at the computing device, determining whether a user profile associated with a user of the apparatus has a sufficient amount of advertisement credits to allow the user to receive an advertisement-free experience relating to an advertisement-sponsored application, and providing the advertisement-free experience if the user profile includes the sufficient amount of advertisement credits.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating a condition of a seal of a rotary valve are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing and a processor positioned within the housing. The processor is to determine a seal wearing cycle of a flow control member of a rotary valve, the seal wearing cycle includes movement of the flow control member between a first position in contact with a seal and a second position. The processor is to determine a torque of an actuator operating the flow control member for the seal wearing cycle and estimate a condition of the seal based on the torque.

Abstract: Seal assemblies for use with fluid valves are described. An apparatus includes a cage, a plug having a seal gland and a seal assembly to be at least partially positioned in the seal gland. The seal assembly includes a back-up ring having a wedge-shaped protrusion and a seal defining a wedge-shaped groove to receive the protrusion. A pressure is to act on the back-up ring to urge the protrusion into the groove. An engagement between the protrusion and the groove is to urge the seal into sealing engagement with an inner surface of the cage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating a condition of a seal of a rotary valve are disclosed. An example method includes determining a seal wearing cycle of a flow control member of a rotary valve. The seal wearing cycle includes movement of the flow control member between a first position in contact with a seal and a second position. The example method further includes determining a torque of an actuator operating the flow control member for the seal wearing cycle and estimating a condition of the seal based on the torque.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for acoustic fluid valve calibration are disclosed herein. An example method involves rotating a closure member of a valve to a involves rotating a closure member of a valve to a plurality of positions along a valve stroke, obtaining acoustic emission signals generated by a fluid passing through the valve using a sensor when the closure member is in the positions, and identifying, using a processor, a zero position of the closure member based on the acoustic emission signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates a recombinant Clostridium expressing one or more heterologous Wood-Ljungdahl (WL) genes. In particular, the recombinant Clostridium produces a metabolite at an increased level. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a metabolite by the recombinant Clostridium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating a condition of a seal of a rotary valve are disclosed. An example method includes determining a seal wearing cycle of a flow control member of a rotary valve. The seal wearing cycle includes movement of the flow control member between a first position in contact with a seal and a second position. The example method further includes determining a torque of an actuator operating the flow control member for the seal wearing cycle and estimating a condition of the seal based on the torque.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to use vibration data to determine a condition of a process control device are disclosed. An example method includes collecting first vibration data from a first sensor operatively coupled to a process control device during a calibration. The example method further includes calculating an operating threshold of the process control device based on the first vibration data, and determining a condition of the process control device if second vibration data associated with the process control device collected after the calibration exceeds the operating threshold.

Abstract: A drain connector may be arranged within a trough or sump of a grease containment apparatus to separate a water component from brown water, and automatically drain same when the brown water attains a predefined level, to prevent overflowing of brown water from the grease containment apparatus. A grease containment apparatus arranged to receive grease discharged by a fan-type rooftop grease exhauster may include multiple corner sections and at least one trough disposed between the sumps, and arranged on at least one (preferably all) sides of a rooftop grease exhauster. Mounting brackets with multiple bends may flexibly support a grease containment apparatus above a roof surface. Flashing is provided to direct grease into at least one trough section. A venturi cleaning attachment may be provided to promote forced suction discharge of a grease containment system motivated by ingress of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing effects of friction on process control devices are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a value corresponding to friction of an actuator and a process control device to be operated by the actuator, and determining a value indicative of an effect of the friction on operation of the process control device via the actuator based on the value corresponding to the friction and a predetermined value.